Erratum in

Science. 2010 Mar 26;327(5973):1577.

Abstract

We report here genome sequences and comparative analyses of three closely related parasitoid wasps: Nasonia vitripennis, N. giraulti, and N. longicornis. Parasitoids are important regulators of arthropod populations, including major agricultural pests and disease vectors, and Nasonia is an emerging genetic model, particularly for evolutionary and developmental genetics. Key findings include the identification of a functional DNA methylation tool kit; hymenopteran-specific genes including diverse venoms; lateral gene transfers among Pox viruses, Wolbachia, and Nasonia; and the rapid evolution of genes involved in nuclear-mitochondrial interactions that are implicated in speciation. Newly developed genome resources advance Nasonia for genetic research, accelerate mapping and cloning of quantitative trait loci, and will ultimately provide tools and knowledge for further increasing the utility of parasitoids as pest insect-control agents.

Comment in

Phylogenetic relationships of Nasonia and the DNA methylation tool kit. (A) Nasonia relationships to other sequenced genomes (6). Right: DNA methyltransferase subfamilies (Dnmt1, Dnmt2, Dnmt3) in these taxa. (B) Relationships among the three sequenced Nasonia genomes. (C) Crossing scheme used for mapping scaffolds on the Nasonia chromosomes and for studies of nuclear-cytoplasmic incompatibility.